𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟒𝟓: 𝐀𝐧𝐱𝐢𝐞𝐭𝐲-𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐦𝐚𝐧
“Ah, that’s right. Today, in honor of our first date, I brought a gift.”
ㅤ
What on earth could the gift be?
A slight bracing occurs.
ㅤ
“Ta-da! It’s a crystal snowdrop seedling.”
ㅤ
What was presented in front of me was a snowdrop with clear buds like crystal.
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“What is this?”
ㅤ
Since it’s planted in the soil, it’s undoubtedly a plant.
However, the flower had a beauty like a work of art made by carving crystal.
ㅤ
“It’s a magical plant. It blooms on nights when magical power is pouring down.”
ㅤ
Apparently, in Binemöer, there are several magical plants that have been genetically modified by wizards.
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“If you plant it in the Marquis’s garden, I think it will surely bloom beautifully.”
“So there are such flowers.”
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It seems that he thought I might like plants because he saw me helping the gardener in the garden.
ㅤ
If this were a crystal ornament, accepting it would be a burden, but if it’s a plant that can be planted in the Marquis’s garden, I can accept it honestly.
ㅤ
“Thank you. I’m looking forward to seeing what kind of flowers will bloom.”
ㅤ
Then, a small bundle was presented to Ga-chan.
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[Nya?!]
“This is for Ga-chan. It’s a sugar craft shaped like a flower.”
[Nyaa!]
ㅤ
Ga-chan happily receives it and unties the string to check the contents.
What was wrapped was sugar shaped like a rose.
ㅤ
[Nyaa!]
ㅤ
It seemed to be to her liking, and Ga-chan was hugging the sugar craft.
I wondered how he knew Ga-chan’s preferences, but it seems that he had heard from the Marchioness what Ga-chan likes.
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“Thank you also for Ga-chan.”
“No problem.”
ㅤ
While having such a conversation, we arrived at the theater, our destination.
Binemöer seems to have many nobles who are interested in art, and the scale is considerably larger than that in Vulcano.
ㅤ
“Lara, is it quite a while since you’ve been to such a place?”
“Ah――yes. Actually, it is. Probably since my childhood, I guess?”
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My mother was often sick and couldn’t go out, and my father was busy. Therefore, the last memory of watching a play or opera would probably be in my early teens.
ㅤ
“Didn’t your husband take you along.”
“Ah. . . . . . Well, yes, that’s right. The nobles of Vulcano, they aren’t so interested in watching stage performances. I like it though.”
“I see.”
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Although I was wondering what to do if he asked me in depth, Lord Montyver just casually replied.
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The carriage stops at the rotary in front of the theater.
Lord Montyver descends first and reaches out his hand to me.
While being escorted, I stepped on the stepping stone prepared by the driver, but I was wearing high-heeled shoes, so my body was a little unsteady.
Immediately, Lord Montyver catches me.
His beautiful face comes close in front of me, and I am flustered.
The moment I tried to pretend to be calm, I noticed something.
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“Oh, Lord Montyver, are you wearing makeup?”
“Yeah, I always do.”
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Apparently, his skin is pale and looks unhealthy, so he is wearing makeup.
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“Also, things like spots and dark circles stand out, and my lips turn purple easily, so I’m deceiving it with makeup.”
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This is my first encounter with a man who wears makeup. As I was staring intently, Lord Montyver distanced himself from my gaze.
“Do you think it’s strange for a man to wear makeup?”
“No. I admire your extraordinary aesthetic sense.”
“Really? I’m glad!”
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He seems to have been told by a woman who knew he was wearing makeup before that he has effeminate hobbies.
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“I don’t know what to say. I didn’t care about the words themselves, but I was shocked by the way they criticized wearing makeup.”
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Hearing my words, he says he has gained confidence.
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“Lara, thank you.”
“I don’t think it’s something to be thanked for.”
“But I was glad!”
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The surroundings are filled with men and women walking into the theater arm in arm.
Among them, Lord Montyver starts walking, holding my hand.
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“Ah, um, holding hands is a bit…”
“In this crowd, we’ll get separated, so bear with it a little.”
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Having been told to endure, I find myself unable to say anything more.
I can’t help but think that the choice of words was exquisite.
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Lord Montyver guided me to a private box seat. In the dim light, I was honestly worried about being alone with him.
The chairs were not long benches, but single-seat ones, within reach if I stretched my hand out a bit.
While Lord Montyver was away from the seat, I moved Ga-chan to my fingertip. It clings like a ring.
If Lord Montyver touches me, I made a request to sting with a thread sharp as a needle.
ㅤ
The returning Lord Montyver handed me a brochure. It seems he went to the store to buy it.
The title was printed in gold foil on the thick paper of the cover, and inside were pictures of actors, lyrics of songs in the play, interviews with the director, making it a good read.
I have a memory of going to a stage in my childhood where the brochure was just a folded print.
Such brochures are probably a unique culture of Binemöer, where stage works often attract attention.
ㅤ
While flipping through the brochure, the bell announcing the start of the performance rings.
I straightened my back and sent my gaze to the stage.
The play to be performed was a comedy that has been popular in Binemöer for many years.
It feels like it’s been a while since I laughed out loud.
Even though it’s only been a month since my father died, I wondered if it’s okay to laugh so much, but I thought it’s not good to endure, and I honestly enjoyed it.
ㅤ
To my surprise, I got absorbed in the stage and was drawn into its unique worldview.
Lord Montyver seemed to be the same, shaking his shoulders with laughter.
He didn’t touch me until the end, so it seems I was self-conscious.
ㅤ
After the performance, Lord Montyver took me to a café he likes.
It boasted a beautiful garden, and at this time of year, the daffodils were in full bloom.
He said that it also has private rooms, where you can enjoy tea and proud sweets without worrying about the eyes of others.
It was private from the theater, but I wish the places I go for the first time are where people’s eyes are.
Such places are usually visited after getting familiar.
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“Lara, the three-tiered pancakes here are delicious.”
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As recommended, I ordered a set of pancakes and tea.
We shared our impressions of the stage until it was served.
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“That scene was really funny, wasn’t it?”
“Yes, I laughed so hard for the first time in a while.”
“That’s good.”
ㅤ
Lord Montyver, resting his cheek on his hand, was looking at me with a sweet face.
Since it was a gaze as if looking at a loved one, I awkwardly turned my face away in a hurry.
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“I’m glad you seemed to enjoy it. I’ve been worried. I felt like you’re not living for yourself and wondered if you’re not enjoying life.”
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The moment I heard those words, I involuntarily covered my mouth. How did he notice that?
I was so surprised I almost let out a cry.
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“Lara, you should value yourself more.”
“I understand. Because Ren is there, health is the first priority――”
“No. You should value yourself, for yourself. That’s what life is.”
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I’ve pointed out that if I live for someone else, I would treat my existence casually and exhaust myself terribly.
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“I too once had a period where I had to live for my mother. But when I realized it was strange, I was greatly distorted.”
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You have to notice your own abnormalities yourself.
But at that time, it seems Lord Montyver was not aware of his own distortion.
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“After being picked up by Lord Ghodrove, well, I guess I got better. Before that, I was being passed around and had restless days.”
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I was told that looking at me reminded him of his past self.
It seems painful to see me pushing myself, so he can’t leave me alone.
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“Live a little easier. Life is long, after all.”
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This time around, I have firmly decided to survive with Florenci.
Perhaps it’s important to have a period of relaxation in order to achieve that.
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“Yes, that’s true. I may have been a little rigid in my thinking.”
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However, I’m not living in suffering right now.
In the country of Binemöer, I’m living happily with kind people.
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“I’ve discovered that the world is kinder than I thought. I’m very satisfied with my current life, to the point where I don’t desire anything more――”
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Compared to before when time rewound, I’m not suffering or sad.
There’s nobody oppressing us siblings, and Ga-chan is not being forced into exhausting work.
You could say we are happy.
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“Therefore, please don’t worry too much.”
“Okay, I understand.”
ㅤ
It was then, for the first time, that Lord Montyver showed a relieved expression.
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